Review: Dave Gunning – Lift (Independent)

On his latest record Lift, Nova Scotia’s Dave Gunning is in a bit of a reflective mood. The record, his eleventh overall, finds the acclaimed singer-songwriter employing a host of acoustic instruments to paint a rich tapestry of music that gets better with repeated listens. Gunning gets by with a little help from his friends here, including J.P. Cormier, Matt Andersen, Thom Swift and Catherine MacLellan as he evokes the storytelling spirit of Stan Rogers. While arguably anybody can tell a story, Gunning does so with such conviction, the listener can’t help but be drawn into the world of characters of whom Gunning sings. Album highlights include “Love Fell In,” “From On Higher Ground,” “This Changin’ Wind,” and “Breaker’s Yard.”